It may not be wise to judge a book by its cover, but today’s consumers are certainly choosing products based on how the manufacturer chooses to package them.

Public sentiment is rapidly shifting away from plastics, and for good reason. An estimated 6.9 billion tons of plastic have been discarded in the past 60 years, and only about 9 percent of that has been recycled. The rest of it is still out there. Did you know that …

Now think about how many bags and bottles we use every day. The cannabis industry has a responsibility to cut down on the number of plastics and other non-biodegradable packaging types that we use, both for the sake of the environment and for dispensaries’ own bottom lines.

So how can cannabis dispensaries play their part in this packaging eco-revolution? Here are four tips for you to try.

1. Go with Glass

Instead of choosing plastic materials to package your flowers, try glass jars. They keep the taste of the buds intact, they’re available in many of the same sizes as plastic jars, and they’re reusable.

They also add a touch of class to your display. Somehow, although they’re both clear, glass just looks better than plastic.

2. Encourage Recycling

You’ll probably have some customers that will still opt for plastic, even if glass is available. Maybe they’re concerned about breakage, or maybe they’re just not convinced that glass is better. You can still reduce your dispensary’s impact and reassure customers of your sustainability commitment by encouraging jar recycling.

Put a recycling bin somewhere visible in your dispensary.

Print a reminder to recycle on your store receipts.

Post a sign encouraging customers to recycle their marijuana packaging.

Remember, when it comes to plastic, every little bit helps.

3. Host a Reuse Contest

Don’t forget about the “reuse” part of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” It may be that some of your packaging isn’t recyclable, perhaps because of child-resistant packaging laws.

Whatever the reason, encourage your customers to re-use creatively by hosting a contest with prizes.

Challenge your customers to take pictures of your dispensary supplies in long-term reuse. Every picture gets an entry. At the end of the sweepstakes period, choose one to win a prize. You can choose at random or have a vote on the best, most creative, or most eco-friendly idea.

4. Label Efficiently

You have to label your cannabis containers. It’s the law. Specific labeling requirements vary by state but no matter where your dispensary is located, you need to print certain key information on a label and affix it to the container.

Sadly, the pressure-sensitive adhesives on labels make those labels non-recyclable. You can’t change that, and you can’t stop labeling. (If you did, the authorities would shut your dispensary down.)

However, you can reduce the number of labels that you use. See if you can get all of your health advisories, product data, and other required information on a single sticky label, or two if there’s just too much for one. The fewer labels you use, the lower your impact will be.

You can even invite your customers to bring their labels in for their next purchase and use the same label on a second product. Doing so could get you repeat buyers while showing that you’re an eco-aware supplier.

The Takeaway

As a business owner, you do what you can to run an environmentally friendly company. And chances are, many of your customers are working hard to be ecologically aware consumers. If you take the time to make your packaging as sustainable as possible, you can help your business and the planet at the same time.

Cannabiz Supply is committed to being your partner in sustainable cannabis packaging. We have high-quality glass jars and a host of other items so that your customers can feel good about buying from you. Give us a call today and find out how we can help.

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Cannabiz Supply is your one-stop-shop for everything you need to run a successful cannabis business—except the product. We supply high-quality cannabis packaging, custom labels, customizable vape pens, production equipment, and other cannabis industry supplies.